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One of the first things others notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if you’re feeling self-conscious about imperfections in your teeth, you might avoid spending time with others.
Thankfully, your dentist can place porcelain veneers to mask one or multiple flaws in your enamel, such as chips, cracks, stubborn stains, mild overcrowding, or slight gaps. However, they must make an irreversible change to your enamel this treatment to be successful. Continue reading to learn more about how your dentist prepares your pearly whites for this cosmetic enhancement!
What Are Veneers?
It’s natural to want to address aesthetic issues to improve your appearance and boost your confidence. Veneers are a versatile solution that your dentist can arrange to mask one or several areas of concern. They’re usually made from resilient porcelain that reflects light like enamel, which can be customized to look just like your natural teeth. Then, they’re cemented to the fronts of your enamel to hide imperfections.
These ceramic shells are also coated with a glaze durable enough to resist staining and damage, which can help safeguard your smile. Plus, they can last 10 to 20 or more years if cared for correctly, making them an excellent long-term investment.
How Are Teeth Prepared for Veneers?
Although veneers are quite thin (usually about 0.2 to 0.5 mm thick), your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel for them to fit correctly. This ensures they can be placed flush against your gumline so the seam is less noticeable, and also keeps them from looking awkward or bulky next to neighboring teeth.
Unfortunately, your enamel doesn’t regenerate, meaning that this cosmetic services involves making an irreversible change to the structure of your teeth. This leaves them slightly more vulnerable to common problems, like cavities or injuries, so you’ll need to have veneers or another appropriate restoration in place to protect them moving forward.
Does It Hurt to Prepare Teeth for Veneers?
Many patients worry that this preparatory step will hurt, but that’s not usually the case. For starters, your dentist will most likely provide a local anesthetic to prevent potential discomfort while they work. That means you won’t need to worry about possible aches until those medications wear off.
Then, you might develop temporary sensitivity because more of the lower layer of dentin is exposed. This allows external sensations, like hot and cold temperatures of food, to travel more easily through the microscopic pores in the underlying layer of dentin into the tender nerves in the pulp inside.
This usually fades on its own after a few days and can often be safely reduced with over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol or ibuprofen. With that said, if you have persistent or severe pain after several days, let your dentist know. They may need to thin your veneer slightly to improve its fit!
Meet the Author
Dr. S. John Salivonchik has about 30 years of experience helping patients in Coplay improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Temple Dental school, where he graduated summa cum laude. Today, he is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association, so you can trust that your smile is in skilled hands. He provides a comprehensive menu of services, including veneers, to meet all your needs at one convenient location. You can request an appointment on the website or call (610) 502-1545.
